167 lines
6.8 KiB
HTML
167 lines
6.8 KiB
HTML
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
|
||
|
||
<!--
|
||
This is the main page about the LN.
|
||
It is intended to give the visitor a general overview of what the LN is and to provide the necessary links to other, more detailed pages.
|
||
-->
|
||
|
||
<html>
|
||
<version>1</version>
|
||
|
||
<head>
|
||
<title>The Legal Network</title>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</head>
|
||
|
||
<body>
|
||
<h1>The Legal Network</h1>
|
||
|
||
<!-- What -->
|
||
<div id="introduction">
|
||
<p>
|
||
The Legal Network<a class="fn" id="ref-1" href="#fn-1">1</a> is a
|
||
neutral, non-partisan, group of experts in different fields
|
||
involved in Free Software legal issues. Currently the Legal
|
||
Network has over 400 participants from different legal systems<a
|
||
class="fn" id="ref-2" href="#fn-2">2</a>, academic backgrounds<a
|
||
class="fn" id="ref-3" href="#fn-3">3</a> and affiliations<a
|
||
class="fn" id="ref-4" href="#fn-4">4</a>.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<!-- Why -->
|
||
<p>
|
||
The aim of the Legal Network is to promote discussion and foster
|
||
better knowledge of the legal constructs that back Free Software.
|
||
The conversations on the Legal Network are intended to be
|
||
dynamic, thought-provoking and up to speed with the most recent
|
||
developments.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2>Building Legal Expertise</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
Providing a neutral place of discussion allows the Free Software
|
||
community at large to grow and develop in various ways. Through
|
||
spirited discussions, the Legal Network can also speculate on
|
||
possible complications that may arise with Free Software, before
|
||
they emerge in legal practice. Consequently, it develops
|
||
solutions and tries to build consensus around them in the Free
|
||
Software legal community. Members of the Legal Network also use
|
||
it to improve each other’s expertise in those fields in which
|
||
they are less well-versed, contributing to the overall
|
||
improvement legal expertise on Free Software.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<!-- How -->
|
||
<p>
|
||
The discussions of the Legal Network are held in a private mailing list. Through the <a href="/activities/ln/llw.html">Free Software Legal and Licensing Workshop</a>, the Legal Network provides a catalyst for such activities, giving its members a chance to meet in person, present their works and ideas and get immediate feedback.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<!-- Output -->
|
||
<h2>A Neutral and Protected Space for Discussion</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p id="outreach"><a
|
||
href="/activities/ln/application.html">Admission to the Legal
|
||
Network</a> is restricted, and the discussions held there are
|
||
confidential. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the content of
|
||
the mailing list is contained away from the larger Free Software
|
||
community. The <a
|
||
href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule">Chatham
|
||
House Rule</a> applies to all discussions on the Legal Network
|
||
mailing list and at Legal Network events, which enables members to
|
||
use the information received, but not to reveal the identity nor
|
||
the affiliation of the speaker or any of the participants involved
|
||
in the discussion.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
Discussions on the Legal Network mailing list and affiliated
|
||
events are also subject to a Code of Conduct and <a
|
||
href="/activities/ln/rules.html">general rules of moderation</a>.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2>The Council of the Legal Network</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
The <a href="/activities/ln/council.html">Council of the Legal
|
||
Network</a> assists the FSFE with administering the Legal Network
|
||
by providing the advice of expert members. It operates with a
|
||
collaborative attitude and takes into account input from various
|
||
sources, including interested parties, prominent members, and the
|
||
FSFE.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
The Council is consulted on the prospective evolution of the
|
||
Legal Network and operates as an advisory board of sorts for
|
||
decisions taken by the FSFE.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2>Special Interest Groups</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
When a topic that requires more in-depth analysis arises, the
|
||
Legal Network can sometimes set up a Special Interest Group
|
||
(SIG). SIGs are subject to the same Code of Conduct as the Legal
|
||
Network, but participants can invite experts from outside the
|
||
Network if their input is deemed valuable. When the discussion on
|
||
the original question has reached maturity, the SIG presents its
|
||
output to the wider community.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
Any member of the Legal Network can propose the creation of a SIG
|
||
on a new topic by contacting the Legal Coordinator, or by
|
||
declaring such interest directly on the Legal Network mailing
|
||
list.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2>How to Join the Legal Network</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
Given the high level of confidentiality of some discussions,
|
||
admission to (and continued membership in) the Legal Network is
|
||
subject to the approval of the FSFE and depends on the respect of
|
||
the Legal Network regulations.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
Successful applicants will have expertise in legal matters
|
||
pertaining to Free Software, and will join the Legal Network in
|
||
order to share their knowledge with their peers from around the
|
||
world. While some members are indeed affiliated with prominent
|
||
companies or organisations, this does not constitute a factor in
|
||
assessing membership, which is awarded on a personal basis.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
The Legal Network thrives in the diversity of its members. As
|
||
such, there is a particular interest in welcoming new experts
|
||
from the geographical areas that are currently under-represented
|
||
(i.e. Eastern European countries, the Baltic states, Asia, South
|
||
America and Africa).
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>
|
||
All applicants should have a current Legal Network member sponsor
|
||
their application. If you intend to join or to propose someone as
|
||
a Legal Network member, use our application form <a
|
||
href="/activities/ln/application.html">application form</a>.
|
||
</p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 id="fn">Footnotes</h2>
|
||
|
||
<ol>
|
||
<li id="fn-1">Previously known as "European Legal Network".<a href="#ref-1" class="ref">↩</a></li>
|
||
<li id="fn-2">The Legal Network currently has members from 28 countries spread over 4 continents.<a href="#ref-2" class="ref">↩</a></li>
|
||
<li id="fn-3">The Legal Network is composed by highly competent legal professionals, engineers and other professional figures that contribute with their own specific knowledge.<a href="#ref-3" class="ref">↩</a></li>
|
||
<li id="fn-4">The Legal Network members are private practitioners, volunteers, relevant members of the Free Software community, employees of enterprises of different sizes.<a href="#ref-4" class="ref">↩</a></li>
|
||
</ol>
|
||
</body>
|
||
<description>Information about the largest structure for legal discussion on Free Software in the world.</description>
|
||
|
||
</html>
|